"Is that a joke?"
"I'm really going to kill him."
"Let's change the premise."
After returning from the princess's birthday banquet,
Lennox kept mulling over Estelle's smile—
… no, actually, he kept replaying her words: that it would be a shame if they divorced.
No, that wasn't it either.
He regretted not having slit Matthias's throat when he dared lay a hand on Estelle
'No, wait. That's not quite right either.'
The more he thought about it, the more Lennox questioned what really happened back then.
"This isn't about me, so listen carefully. Imagine this happening in some ordinary family: a married younger sibling you haven't seen in a while shows up with some stranger of the opposite sex. That much is fact. The suspicion that they're cheating—that's circumstantial. Even so, would you still kill him?"
"Circumstantial? Even so, you're still in the wrong."
"I told you, it's not about me."
"Ugh… then who was the person they met?"
"Exactly. That's the first thing you should be asking."
It was a course of action so obvious that even Glesia knew it.
But back then, Matthias had described him as "the blond man."
And without warning, he raised his hand against Estelle, accusing her of cheating.
If I hadn't gone to check because the conversation seemed to be dragging on, then Estelle would have…
Grit.
His teeth ground together again.
"Tia?"
Glesia, who had been staring blankly at Lennox, asked.
"You mean you asked that because of Tia?"
"It's just a story about someone I know."
"You don't know anyone."
"..."
"You don't even care about people."
He couldn't deny it.
"You're right. But don't tell anyone that I asked you this kind of question, sis."
When Lennox earnestly pleaded, Glesia gave a halfhearted nod.
"Come to think of it, where's Tia?"
"Duren said he wanted to meet the friend he made yesterday, so she went out with him."
"And you?"
"Me? I have to work."
"Did monsters show up nearby?"
"A lot."
"Idiot."
Lennox was startled at suddenly being cursed at.
"Instead of asking me that, go to Tia."
"But when kids see me, they cry."
"So what if they cry? Isn't it obvious? Do you think that's just some kids' hangout?"
She had practically spoon-fed him the answer.
Yet Lennox still looked completely clueless.
Even if you've never cared about how others see you… come on. Even I get this.
Glesia was exasperated.
Tsk.
"You think only kids will be there? Their guardians will all be with them! You tossed Tia alone into that crowd without any protection!"
"Me?"
"Yes! That's the wilds, the wilds! Go, now!"
Smack!
Glesia slapped Lennox squarely on the back.
Still looking utterly baffled, Lennox left the room.
Still, she soon caught sight of Lennox hurrying out through the window. At least his actions were quick, she decided to give him that much credit.
"He must like Tia," Glesia muttered.
She had pushed him, yes, but if it were about anyone else, her brother would never have budged no matter how much she scolded or barked at him.
"This is serious."
It seemed Lennox liked Estelle.
Truly.
The biggest problem, though, was that the man himself didn't seem to realize his own feelings.
"They said it's a contract marriage, so they'll be divorcing soon."
Mm…
Mmph.
"There's no law that says you can't remarry someone you divorced."
The special clause in the contract hadn't been enough to prevent their divorce.
"Then once the contract ends, Lennox can just remarry Tia! That way, Tia and I can be family forever!"
If that was the case, then marrying again was always an option.
In that moment, Glesia—who had never shown much enthusiasm for anything—made up her mind to wholeheartedly support her brother's romance.
Meanwhile, Estelle—
"I never imagined the Duchess would so willingly come visit us like this."
Nearby, the children were left to play together while the ladies enjoyed their tea time.
"That's right. We have gatherings like this often, but for you, Duchess, it must have been rather sudden."
"My child had just been pestering me to see her friends, so thank you for inviting us."
Estelle replied graciously, letting her gaze sweep over the ladies and offering them a light smile in greeting.
The most distinguished figures of high society had all gathered in one place.
They said they often met among themselves, but the reason such prominent individuals had come together the day after a banquet was clear.
"To have the chance to speak privately with such a famous figure as yourself is truly our honor."
"Yes, when we only heard the rumors, we thought you'd never come."
The atmosphere can't exactly be called friendly.
They already had their own well-established factions, and Estelle could feel the subtle undercurrent of rivalry.
Just as Glesia had predicted, this place was the wilds.
But there was one thing Glesia had overlooked.
"Rumors? What kind of rumors have you heard?"
That Estelle was not someone who could be taken lightly either.
With a gentle smile, she asked as if she knew nothing at all.
"Oh, there are always plenty of rumors. I thought surely you knew them already, Duchess—but perhaps not?"
The remark carried a trace of mockery.
It was Lady Alt who had provided today's play space for the children.
She made little effort to hide her dislike of Estelle. From what Estelle had overheard in passing, Lady Alt was said to be on good terms with the imperial princess.
"It seems everyone is very interested in me. I'm delighted that you're all so friendly toward me," Estelle said.
For a moment, Lady Alt's expression showed disbelief.
"The people who talk about me usually fall into two groups—those who like me, and those who are simply busy spreading rumors."
"..."
"But the latter are usually people who feel inferior to me."
Estelle smiled faintly.
"But of course, you ladies wouldn't be like that. Isn't that right?"
"Y-yes, of course."
Ha-ha.
The ladies all forced polite smiles.
As for Lady Alt, whether her strained expression was from annoyance or from trying too hard to keep her composure, it was impossible to tell.
"Come to think of it, what became of the relic matter?"
"It looks like it will take some time. It seems the temple was greatly shaken as well."
"That's true. It was a relic that had been put to good use for so long…"
"And the other relic Duke Wonterren brought—where is it now? At the temple?"
"No. The Duke is keeping it himself. Because of that, until the temple gives a definite answer, our family has been stuck in the capital."
Estellespoke as if troubled.
"Still, isn't it wrong for the Duke to be away from the North for so long?"
A sharp voice cut in.
Once again, it was Lady Alt.
"No one knows when monsters might appear, and if the North is left empty it's far too dangerous. I heard Duke Wonterren has never been absent this long before."
"There are no sea monsters appearing in the North. And even if they did, an urgent message would be sent immediately, and with just a warp passage, he could return at once."
"Even so, it doesn't make sense! This is a matter that concerns the safety and security of the entire empire!"
Being treated almost like a traitor who had sold out her country in an instant, Estelles large eyes grew moist with shock.
Seeing even her lips trembling, Lady Alt rejoiced inwardly.
So she'll run away crying over something this trivial.
Just then—
A tear-tinged voice came from Estelle.
"I'm sorry. It's because of my selfishness."
"Selfishness?"
Estelle lowered her gaze slightly.
Because of her long lashes, her eyes seemed shadowed and sorrowful.
"The truth is, I begged him to let us stay in the capital for just a few more days. I'd be fine on my own, but he insisted on staying with me—he's always so overprotective."
The ladies with young children strongly sympathized with her situation.
"It's because you're newlyweds."
"During that time, even being apart for a short while makes you long for each other. Back when I was newly married, if I left for just a moment, my husband would come looking for me in tears!"
"Husbands who are hopeless romantics are all like that. And to think it was even one-sided at first—imagine how anxious he must have been."
The ladies let out small exclamations, no doubt recalling Lennox's very public confession.
"The idea that Duke Wonterren is a romantic… I just can't picture it! Is he really that different when it's just the two of you?"
"Not that different."
Huh? That couldn't be true.
The ladies looked doubtful.
"If I so much as cough, he summons a doctor like it's a grave emergency. And even though my legs are perfectly fine, he insists on carrying me down himself."
"..."
"From our very first meeting, he's treated me like I'm some porcelain doll. You can't imagine how difficult it's been."
Everyone was silently aghast.
"His behavior felt so natural that I thought he was simply that kind of man… Did I say something wrong?" Estelle glanced around cautiously when the group fell quiet as a mouse.
"N-no, not at all. It just seems a little different from the Duke I know."
"Yes, exactly. That's it."
Is she exaggerating on purpose?
The suspicion flickered, but recalling how casually Lennox interacted with Estelle, it became oddly convincing.
"But now that I think of it, I don't see the children anywhere."
"...Looks like they wandered deeper into the garden while playing. It happens often."
Children out of sight?
That makes any guardian uneasy.
And if they're not only out of sight but the surroundings are quiet as well?
That doesn't just mean worry—
It means an emergency.
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